Stretch of Ohio River reopens after fuel oil spill

by LISA CORNWELL, The Associated Press

Cleanup is underway near the Beckjord Power Plant, in New Richmond, Ohio, after an estimated 5,000 to 8,000 gallons of fuel oil spilled into the Ohio River, closing about a 15-mile section of the waterway southeast of Cincinnati, on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2014. (AP Photo/The Cincinnati Enquirer, Amanda Rossmann)

CINCINNATI (AP) - A 15-mile section of the Ohio River closed for cleanup after a fuel oil spill has reopened to river traffic, with some restrictions.

A Coast Guard spokeswoman says river traffic in that section southeast of Cincinnati must get Coast Guard clearance and maintain a safe speed as the cleanup continues. The spill was initially reported as about 5,000 to 8,000 gallons, but Coast Guard spokeswoman Lt. Katherine Cameron says authorities on site had lowered the estimate to around 4,000 to 5,000 gallons as of Tuesday evening.

A Duke Energy spokeswoman says the spill from a Duke power plant in New Richmond happened late Monday night.

The Charlotte, North Carolina-based Duke says the spill occurred during a fuel transfer and lasted about 10 to 15 minutes.